The 2013 NYC Mom Show, “A traveling exhibit of fine art as a tribute to Moms everywhere,” will kick off its journey this May at 461 Gallery, the Chashama venue space in Harlem. “The Basic idea is a day of friends, family and the public to enjoy, engage and discuss all things relating to mom and beyond, ” says creator and curator John C. Kuchera. “At the end of the day it’s all about the little smile I get as I think about my mom.”

The idea for The Mom Show came to John after his mother passed away. John worked constantly creating paintings on large pieces of wood he found in the back of his studio. “Oil paints were a necessity for me during this time, for the feel of the brush, paint, and wood trinity.” Since then his collection has been a tribute to his mom and the idea of moms everywhere. The first installation of the Mom Show at the NAAS Harlem gallery even served Bloody Marys and waffles, “my mom's favorites.”

Since then John has shown his work with fellow artists like Hans Wolf, Noel Donaldson, Kristin Gambell and James Stover. “Curating the Mom Show has brought me to tears at times. When I talk to each of the artists in the show I can’t help but realize that I am sort of viewing my past, present and future on a daily basis.” John, with his undying energy and enthusiasm for the human spirit in all forms, has hand picked the art for the Mom Show. A mix of international characters from Australia, Portugal, Chile, Mexico and the U.S. Even the flower hand logo used for the promotion of the show was done by John’s dad. It was the last piece of art he ever did.

The exhibit hopes to make people rethink and reevaluate the modern art exhibit and how the art world interacts with them. “I want people to come and enjoy the Mom Show without fear or pressure.”

The 461 Gallery at Chashama is open every day 10am to 7pm. The all day opening reception is Sunday, May 5, and the all day closing reception is on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12. After New York it travels to Georgia, Texas, Mexico, Australia and Paris.